Neha Srivastava

May 9, 2018 19:10 IST

BI Clerk : Topic wise preparation strategy for Quantitative Aptitude

The SBI Clerk examination 2018 is coming ahead and all of you must be preparing with a proper strategy in place for the examination. With around 2000 posts being filled through this recruitment, it is going to be a golden opportunity for most of youto have a shot at getting a job with the largest public sector bank in the country.

The examination will be conducted in two phases – Prelims and Mains followed by a language proficiency test. In both the written exams, you have quantitative aptitude section.

SBI Clerk 2018: Pattern of Preliminary Exam

The preliminary examination will be an online objective test would consist of three sections as follows:

Name of Test

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Duration

English Language

30

30

20 minutes

Numerical Ability

35

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

35

35

20 minutes

Total

100

100

60 minutes

SBI Clerk 2018: Pattern of Mains Exam

The structure of main examination (online objective test) would be as follows:

Name of Test

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Duration

General/Financial Awareness

50

50

35 minutes

General English

40

40

35 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

50

50

45 minutes

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

50

60

45 minutes

Total

190

200

2 hours 40 minutes

Topics in the Quantitative Aptitude section for SBI Clerk Exam 2018

If the previous year papers are to go by, the quantitative aptitude section in the SBI Clerk will consist of the following topics:

Simplification

Data interpretation

Number series

Approximation

Miscellaneous Questions (Average, profit and loss, pipe and cistern, time and distance, time and work, height and distance, simple and compound interest etc.)

Quadratic equation

The prelims examination will have 35 questions in this section with 35 marks allotted to it whereas for mains examination, you will have 50 questions with 50 marks allotted to this section.

For prelims, you will get 20 minutes to attempt 35 questions whereas for mains, it will be 45 minutes for 50 questions.

It is noticed in the previous years that maximum number of questions asked from the topic Miscellaneous in SBI Clerk Prelims exam 2016. Here we are providing the breakup of the Quantitative Aptitude questions asked in SBI Clerk Prelims and mains exam 2016.

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2016: Question Break-up Numerical Ability

Topic

No. of Questions (35)

Level

Simplification

10

Easy

Number Series

5

Moderate

Data Interpretation

5

Easy

Miscellaneous (CI and SI, Time & Work, Problem on Age, Time and Distance, Profit & Loss, Ratio and Proportion)

15

Moderate

SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2016: Question Break-up Quantitative Aptitude

Topic

No. of Questions (50)

Level of Difficulty

Approximation and Simplification

5

Easy

Number Series

5

Easy to Moderate

Data Interpretation

(Table Graph+ Line Graph)

10

Moderate

Miscellaneous (CI and SI, Time & Work, Problem on Age, Time and Distance, Profit & Loss, Ratio and Proportion)

20

Moderate

Quadratic Equation

5

Easy

Data Sufficiency

5

Moderate

Topic wise strategy to master the Quant section in SBI Clerk 2018

Simplification

With 5 questions expected from this, you need to be super quick with your calculation speedand at the same time you need to be accurate as well.

Learn by heart the following things and make sure to revise the same on daily basis:

Tables of numbers up to 25

Squares and cubes up to at least 20.

You should be master of the BODMAS rule (B – Bracket, O – Orders such as squares, roots etc. D – Division, M – Multiplication, A – Addition, S – Subtraction) since majority of questions will be based on this rule.

Last but not the least, learn short –cut methods for various calculations so that you can solve problems with large numbers without doing cumbersome and time-consuming calculations.

These questions will be based on bar graph, Table graph, Line graph, pie chart, histogram etc. and you need to be good at mind calculations so that you can save time. Most of the questions will be based on calculations. You should have extensive knowledge of the topics like average, percentage, profit and loss etc. and therefore, be good in these topics.

Just remember that all the questions will not be easy in terms of calculation or in other way, you will definitely get 2 questions out of 5 with time-consuming. Identify them and don’t waste time on such questions.

Go through given the directions to solve these questions properly because there may be twists and turns in that.

Out of 5 questions, 2 will be based on some complicated logic and that will be only to waste your time. Try to identify the logic in each series.If you cannot identify the pattern of the series in 40 seconds, do not waste time on it and move on.

Practice such questions in plenty and keep in mind the common logic applied in the series questions. Try to solve the series based on different patterns.Once you become familiar with most of its patterns, you will be able to solve the questions with greater confidence.

Approximation

You will get around 4-5 questions of approximation which are again a test of your calculation skills. Don’t get confused with the approximation rules of taking the next number if the number after the point is 5 or more than that (e.g. 17.56 = 18) and taking the same number in case it is less than 5 (e.g. 18.40 = 18)

Miscellaneous

Such questions come from various chapters such as average, age, profit and loss, time and distance, time and work, pipe and cistern, simple interest, compound interest, ratio and proportion, Mixture, Areas, Volumes etc. Hence, you need to be conversant with the basic rules of all these chapters.

There are always some or the other shot-cut methods to solve problems based on all these topics. Be familiar with them. However, use them only if you have practiced them well and you are comfortable with them.

You may be good in one and may not be that good in the other topic. Hence, first attempt the questions from your strong chapters/topic and later on, the rest of them.

Quadratic Equation

Maximum of 5 questions are expected from this. The thumb rule is that you need to be a calculating wizard who can guess the next step.The key is to calculate without writing anything so that valuable time can be saved.

Continuous practice is the only way that will get you to this state of expertise in quadratic equation questions.

Apart from the above, there are some general tips that come in handy in quantitative aptitude section:

Do not neglect practice

Please do not neglect practice of all the types of questions. This will not only make you habituated with the pattern of questions but also will give you the desired confidence to face the challenge.

Clear your basics

This is the most important thing for this section. Your basics have to be strong to score well in this section. There are a number of rules and theories in quant section and you need to remember all of them. Never ever try something because you are being taught that to score well. Make sure that you are comfortable to use a shortcut trick or formula.

Keep a tab on your time while practicing

Please keep a tab on your time while practicing questions from the quantitative aptitude section since SBI has introduced sectional timing in prelims exam as well from this year.

Focus on accuracy

You need to be focus on accuracy as well as speed. Don’t neglect one for the other since there is negative marking in both the phases of the SBI Clerk examination.

Time management holds the key

Time management holds the key in any competitive examination. This is not an exception and that is why, utilize your time with a proper strategy in the examination. Do not think about your strategy well before the exam or else, you may find it difficult in the exam to adjust to any new trend. Keep in mind one simple thing – attempt questions in which you are confident enough first and do not get stuck with any question.

SBI Clerk examination is a golden opportunity for all of you to get a prestigious job in the public sector and that also with a reputed PSU (public sector unit) like the State Bank of India. However, the journey to a long destination starts with small steps and your success will depend on your planning and execution of a proper strategy. Go ahead and give your best.